VIDEO: 2013 Season Outlook | VIDEO: "The Heart To Win"

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team held its first practice on Saturday in preparation for the 2013 season. UH opens the campaign hosting defending national champion Texas at the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational on Aug. 30.
 
The 'Bows, who are the preseason favorites to repeat as Big West Conference champs, return a talented and veteran squad looking to return to the Final Four for the first time since 2009. Two-time All-American and reigning Big West Player of the Year Emily Hartong will lead a team that features seven seniors and returns three members of last season's all-conference team. That list includes all-region setter Mita Uiato the Big West's most efficient hitter in middle Jade Vorster.
 
Last season, their first back in the Big West after a 16-year hiatus, the Rainbow Wahine ran the table with a perfect 18-0 league mark to capture its sixth Big West title and 18th straight overall. The unblemished record was the first perfect season in Big West play since UC Santa Barbara posted an identical record in 2002. 
 
UH finished last season ranked 11^th nationally after advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The 'Bows traveled to Seattle where they swept Santa Clara to open the tournament before falling to the host Huskies in a five-set thriller.
 
UH will conduct two-a-day practices before going to single practices in preparation for their season opener against the Longhorns.